Profile of the Day: Buster Keaton

Silent film star Buster Keaton was born on this day in 1895. Known for his stoic, deadpan expression, Keaton is remembered as one of the greatest comedic performers in the history of cinema.

Image: Buster Keaton / Library of Congress

Keaton was born Joseph Frank Keaton, VI on October 4, 1895 in Piqua, Kansas. His parents, Joseph “Joe” Keaton and Myra Cutler, were vaudeville performers and traveled together performing various medicine and vaudeville shows. His father had once owned a medicine traveling show with Harry Houdini, who is said to have given Keaton the nickname “Buster” after falling down a flight of stairs. By the age of 3, Keaton began appearing on stage with his parents.

He became known for his slapstick comedies and stunts all while wearing sporting his trademark deadpan look, earning him the nickname “The Great Stone Face.” Although his career had waned with the advent of sound, Keaton is still remembered as one of the masters of physical comedy and an icon of the Silent Film Era.

Keaton died on February 1, 1966 at the age of 70.

View Buster Keaton’s Geni Profile